FULLERTON, Calif. – Point Loma Nazarene defeated Hope International in a hard-fought, low-scoring Golden State Athletic Conference contest Saturday night, 61-53. The game marked the end of the first half of conference play. The Sea Lions head into the second half with a 10-9 overall record and a 6-4 mark against GSAC foes.

Point Loma and the Royals traded leads for much of the opening half. PLNU's biggest lead was three points at the 5:33 mark and that lead would be given up less than a minute later. Hope International clung on to a slim 25-24 advantage into the break.

The Royals managed to stay ahead of the pursuing Sea Lions until a James Hancock jumper evened the score at 29-all in the second half. Greg Murray's jumper at 13:34 put Point Loma up by one, the first time the Green and Gold was in the lead for eight minutes.

Two minutes later Murray made another jumper to put the Sea Lions up 38-34, the first time that either side was ahead by more than three points all game. Point Loma's lead stretched to six after Robbie McDaniel made a pair of free throws but the Royals charged back with a 6-0 run to even the score with six minutes remaining.

Marek Klassen stopped the Royal run with a three pointer and put PLNU back up for good. Though Hope International stayed close the Sea Lions made the lead stand up and won by eight.

Hancock finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Murray contributed 12 points to the PLNU win with Beal adding 10 and Klassen seven.

The Royals fell to 11-9, 2-8 GSAC. They were paced by 13 points from Aaron Woods. David Wedge added 12 with both C.J. Harris and Kris Rosales with 11.

Point Loma will be in Riverside Tuesday to take on the Lancers starting at 7:30 pm.